One of Mississippi's top prospects began his senior season on Friday but not with the results he'd like.

Amanda Elzy's Jermaine Whitehead had a solid night individually but was unable to help the Panthers reach the win column.

The four-star Mississippi State commitment rushed eight times for 75 yards and two touchdowns on offense and racked up five tackles and an interception defensively. He also returned two kickoffs for 51 yards but it was not enough as Leflore County walked away with a 41-14 victory.

Despite the lopsided loss, Whitehead feels his team was able to spot some positives and found some areas they need to clean up this week at practice.

"We had 111 yards worth of penalties and you can't win like that," Whitehead said. "(Leflore) played the week before and they had the same problem. Penalties killed them the first week and they killed us this week. I think we will go back to the drawing board, regulate and get ready to play."

Whitehead also heard some noise on and off the field Friday night with his newfound attention this season after being named a member of The Clarion Ledger's Dandy Dozen list.

"I had two touchdowns and considered it an alright night," Whitehead said. "I heard a couple of people in the crowd say that I'm overrated and that that Whitehead kid ain't nothing and it could have been somebody else in the paper. It was funny to me."

The six-foot, 183-pounder admitted that he was not 100-percent in the opener. He went to the hospital earlier in the week with back issues and was advised to sit out of the game. Whitehead was also involved in a car accident earlier in the day Friday but overcame and played through both obstacles.